Leaders of the Shirlington Employment and Education Center used its 25th-birthday celebration to further commit to supporting the people that the organization helps.
SEEC, as it is known, provides “trust, hard work and hope” for the county’s immigrant population, board chair Chris Concepcion said at an Oct. 10 dinner held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church.
The latest two inductees in the Arlington Sports Hall of Fame are the first from any high-school soccer team, girls or boys, in the local sports pantheon’s nearly 70-year history.
The Oct. 8 induction dinner, held at the Knights of Columbus on Little Falls Road, enshrined Alberto Starace and Gabriella “Kika” Toulouse as the latest honorees in a hall of fame that stretches back to the 1950s.
No matter your age, having a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family. A properly prepared will ensures your wishes are carried out, helps reduce family disputes, and can make the estate administration process much smoother.
Unfortunately, many Virginians make avoidable mistakes that can create unnecessary stress and expense for their loved ones. Here are five of the most common.
Online templates and DIY wills may seem like an easy way to save money, but they often create bigger problems later. Virginia law has specific requirements for a valid will, including proper signatures and witness requirements. Even small mistakes can leave a will open to challenges or delay the administration of an estate.
A will shouldn’t be something you create once and forget. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, buying a home, or losing a loved one can all affect your estate plan.
Reviewing your will every few years—or after a major life event—helps ensure it still reflects your wishes and keeps your loved ones protected.
Virginia no longer has a state estate tax, but federal estate taxes may still affect larger estates. As home values and investments continue to grow, more families may find themselves closer to the federal exemption than they expected.
Planning ahead can help minimize tax consequences and preserve more of your estate for your beneficiaries.
For parents, a will does more than distribute assets—it allows you to name a guardian for your minor children. Without that designation, a court may ultimately decide who will care for them.
Many families also choose to establish a trust so inherited assets can be managed responsibly until children reach an age or milestone they determine is appropriate.
Your executor is responsible for carrying out your wishes, paying debts, and distributing your assets. Selecting someone who is organized, trustworthy, and capable of handling those responsibilities is just as important as deciding who inherits your property.
It’s also essential to clearly identify your beneficiaries. Vague language or outdated information can create confusion and, in some cases, disputes among family members.
A will is only one part of a comprehensive estate plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from:
Together, these documents can help protect your finances, outline your healthcare wishes, and simplify matters for your family if you’re ever unable to make decisions yourself.
A well-prepared estate plan provides peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. By avoiding these common mistakes and keeping your documents up to date, you can help ensure your wishes are honored while reducing stress for your family in the future.
If it’s been several years since you’ve reviewed your will—or you’ve never created one—it may be time to speak with an experienced Virginia estate planning attorney about your options.
At PJI Law, PLC, we work with clients across Fairfax and Northern Virginia to build estate plans that reflect their intentions and align with Virginia law. Our estate planning attorneys take the time to review your assets, beneficiary designations, business interests, and family structure so your plan works as intended.
Whether you’re creating your first will or revisiting an existing one, our team will help you avoid the mistakes that can undermine your entire estate plan.
Call (703) 865-6100 or contact us online to schedule your complimentary consultation today.
PJI Law, PLC
3900 Jermantown Rd, 2nd Floor
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
(703) 865-6100
https://pjilaw.com
Ikea is closing its Pentagon City location this fall.
The Swedish furniture store at 1201 S. Hayes Street will remain open until Nov. 30 as the company opens another “plan-and-order” store in Georgetown, the Washington Business Journal reported yesterday (Thursday).
As happened during last night’s rush hour, Key Bridge again closed to traffic heading into D.C. Friday morning.
The closure was announced at around 10:15 a.m. and appears to be associated with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Washington. The Ukrainian embassy is in Georgetown, near the entrance to the Key Bridge. The bridge was also closed for a few hours in August due to a Zelensky visit.
Live standup comedy in Arlington on Friday July 31 starring Jim Bryan, Kim Villamera, and Greg Billet.
Friday, July 31, 2026
Arlington’s nonprofits contribute invaluable services to the community across a variety of different social causes.
Here are the nominees for “Favorite Local Nonprofit in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.
Did we miss your favorite organization? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks.
Voting for the Best Pizza Place in Arlington is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.
Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Coffee Shop in Arlington. The results are now official:
Getting towed in Arlington could soon get more expensive.
County Board members on Saturday (Oct. 18) are slated to consider advertising a November hearing on a proposal to amend trespass-tow rates across the county.
There’s only one candidate running unopposed in Arlington this fall. But that doesn’t mean Del. Alfonso Lopez is taking election season off.
Lopez (D-3) is raising funds and rallying the troops in hopes Democrats will be “picking up tons of seats” in the House of Delegates.
New Va. Rep. Shutdown Prediction — “Rep. James Walkinshaw, whose Northern Virginia district has one of the country’s highest concentrations of federal workers, is expecting the government shutdown to last around 30 days. Walkinshaw is the newest sworn-in member of Congress, but he served as chief of staff to the late Rep. Gerry Connolly during the previous three government funding lapses.” [Axios]
Shutdown Not Impacting Some — “President Donald Trump is all but ignoring the federal shutdown for parts of the government he favors — keeping paychecks flowing for military service members and FBI agents and backfilling publicly sensitive social benefit programs in a push to alleviate political pain from the closure as it enters its third week.” [Washington Post]
Beyer on Shutdown Negotiations — “Dems are floating a reversal of the RIFs as a shutdown demand (even as courts could curb them anyway) Rep. Beyer: ‘It’d be pretty unconscionable to open it up and still have to put up with those thousands and thousands of firings.'” [Politico, Nicholas Wu/X]
Beyer on Jay Jones — “I asked Rep. Beyer about Jay Jones: ‘What Jay said was awful. It’s no worse than what Donald Trump says almost every day and the things JD Vance has said… People make mistakes. I very much hope he prevails.” [Michael O’Connor/X, O’Connor/TikTok]
Car Noise Bill — “Fairfax County leaders are welcoming renewed efforts giving localities the ability to electronically monitor vehicle noise and fine those whose vehicles exceed state limits. Del. Rip Sullivan (D-6) plans to reintroduce legislation on the subject during the 2026 General Assembly session, his office confirmed. In this year’s session, his measure made it to the desk of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), but was vetoed.” [FFXnow]
Nestle Layoffs in Arlington? — “Food giant Nestle SA said Thursday it plans to cut headcount by 16,000, including 12,000 white-collar workers, across its global ranks over the next two years to drive annual savings. The layoffs will likely impact the Rosslyn-based headquarters of Nestle USA, though to what extent is to be determined.” [WBJ]
Pike Fest Saturday Afternoon — “Come together to celebrate and support Columbia Pike’s small businesses and vibrant community… Enjoy local food and drinks, music, family-friendly activities, and pike photos, all designed to showcase and uplift the businesses that make the Pike special.” [Columbia Pike Partnership]
Anti-Trump Protests Sat. AM — From a press release: “We of Action Virginia (WofA) is organizing the No Kings! WofA Bridge Brigade. Arlington community members will provide messages of patriotism and protest to motorists along I-66 in Arlington. Examples include VA IS 4 LOVERS NOT KINGS; TROOPS OUT OF OUR CITIES; HEALTHCARE NOW; and EPSTEIN FILES NOW.” [ARLnow]
Protest Planned in F.C. — “Amid more than 2,500 similar events nationwide, a “No Kings” rally in the City of Falls Church is expected to draw a huge turnout of citizens lining Broad Street (Rt. 7) from end-to-end this Saturday morning, Oct. 18.” [FCNP]
Backlash After Miller’s Move — “It’s sad that the Miller family couldn’t feel safe among my neighbors in Arlington… NOVA has a hate problem and is filled with the most privileged, insufferable, malicious, and vile malcontents in the country. Just read the comments to get an idea of what living in Arlington is like.” [Corey Inganamort/X]
Warmer Winter on Tap? — “The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released on Thursday its winter outlook covering the period from December through February. For the D.C. region, NOAA leans warmer than normal (33 to 40 percent chance) with equal chances of above-, near- or below-normal precipitation.” [CWG]
It’s Friday — Expect sunny skies and a high of 63 degrees with a northwest 6-to-8-mph wind during the day. On Friday night, the sky will be mostly clear with a low of around 46 degrees. [NWS]
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares and Democratic challenger Jay Jones squabbled over a host of lawyerly issues on Thursday in their first and only debate: criminal prosecutions, consumer protection and unlawful discrimination. But one matter overshadowed it all: Jones’ leaked text messages endorsing political violence toward a former colleague.
Miyares, the Republican incumbent running for reelection, pushed hard against Jones for suggesting to a Republican delegate in 2022 text messages that former Virginia Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert should get “two bullets to the head.”
